Cupcake/Muffin Cup Liner Storage

I love to have a variety of cupcake/muffin cup liners on hand.  I tend to buy them when they are seasonal/for holidays and on sale after the holiday!  

Some of these used to come in little flimsy plastic containers, but lately I've been seeing them in plastic bags.

In my opinion these paper liners are no fun to use if they get deformed in any way.  

I use these Ball 16 oz. Freezer Containers!

So, I decided they are much better stored in these Ball plastic containers.  The containers are the perfect size and shape; and you can fit a couple packages of cupcake/muffin liners in each container ...and they keep their shape perfectly!

Make Wire Shelves Easier to Use

I found this idea on Pinterest and I thought it was brilliant!

Materials:

-sticky backed linoleum tiles (we had a box left from the previous owners of our house, so this cost me $0!)

-ruler or straight edge

-pen or marker

-box cutter or Exacto blade

-wire shelving {I did two different shelves}

Process:

1. Measure the width and depth of the wire shelves. {I measured from the outermost wire and added about 1/4 inch to make sure it would stick well.}

2. Mark the measurements on your linoleum tiles and score with blade on the right side of the tile, using the ruler to make a straight cut.  

3. Now, you can just bend the tile and it will break along the line you have scored.

4. Remove the paper backing from the tile, position where you want it and stick it down.

5. Repeat with the remaining tiles/shelves.

That's it; its that simple!  Enjoy!

 Here's my goofy helper!  Oh Little Miss J!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I'm preparing for the week ahead by making Rainbow Bread and Hawaiian Bread today!  

What are you up to today?  What do you do to prepare for the week ahead?

Banana Cream Cheese Pie

This is a fantastic and easy banana pie recipe; I found it from AllRecipes.  The original recipe has a strawberry topping, but I've never made it with the topping, my kids love it without!  Enjoy!

Ingredients:

-8 oz. cream cheese, softened

-1/2 cup sugar

-1 cup ripe bananas (2-4 bananas)

-1 tsp lemon juice

-8 oz. whipped topping, thawed

-9 inch graham cracker crust {or make your own cinnamon graham cracker crust}

Process:

1. Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.

2. Break bananas into pieces and add to cream cheese mixture.

3. Beat until mixture is smooth.

4. Add whipped topping to banana mixture.

5. Beat until well combined.

6. Pour mixture into cooled crust, cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour.
7. Enjoy!

Donair Sandwich Meat / Donair Sandwiches

I didn't know what Donair meat was or where it came from when I came across this recipe from Food.com.  

So, apparently Donair sandwiches are meatloaf sandwiches and originated from the Middle East.  Greeks, Turks and Lebanese all claim to have come up with the idea and these sandwiches have become a popular dish in Canada.

They are really tasty and this recipe makes a large loaf; it freezes well so you can make it, slice it and freeze the slices to use later!  Enjoy!

Ingredients for Meatloaf:

-2 lbs. ground beef

-1/2 cup bread crumbs

-1 1/4 tsp pepper

-1/2 to 1 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, to taste

-1 tsp oregano

-2 tsp onion powder

-1/2 tsp garlic powder

-1/4 tsp salt

Ingredients for Donair Sauce:

-1/2 cup evaporated milk

-1/2 cup sugar

-1 1/4 tbsp vinegar

-1/4 tsp garlic powder

Additional Ingredients for Sandwiches:

-pita bread {I used my Homemade Pita Bread}

-chopped or sliced onions

-sliced tomato

Process for Meatloaf:

1. Combine all ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer set to mix with dough hook.  If you don't have a standing mixer you can do this by hand.

2. Start mixer at medium speed and allow to mix for 20 minutes.  Or knead by hand for 20 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 300 degrees and spray a broiler pan with non-stick spray.

This is what you meat should look like after mixing for 20 minutes...

4. Form meat mixture into a meatloaf.  I did this on a sheet of foil; it was a little tough to move form the foil, so you decide what works best for you.

5. Move meatloaf to prepared broiler pan.

6. Bake meatloaf for 2-2 1/2 hours.

 7. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.

 8. Slice meatloaf thinly.

Process for Sauce:
1. Stir evaporated milk, sugar and garlic powder until sugar is dissolved.
2. Slowly add vinegar and continue mixing.
3. Let sauce sit for at least 1 hour in refrigerator before serving.

Process for Sandwiches:
1. Heat meat in frying pan.
2. Dip pita bread in water and fry in pan until softened.
3. Place a small amount of sauce on bread.
4. Top with meat, onions and tomato, top with a little more sauce.
5. Roll up or serve open faced.

*We also tried these by putting the meat in the pita and frying the pita until crisp on both sides!  The crunchy pita was a great touch!

ENJOY!

Moroccan Raw Carrot Salad

This is a great raw carrot salad; something different to add to the menu!

I found this recipe from Panning the Globe.

Ingredients:
-2 lbs. carrots, peeled and shredded
-3 tbsp chopped flat leaf parsley

{I used a spiral slicer for the carrots; I have this one below}

Dressing Ingredients:
-1/4 cup olive oil
-1/3 cup fresh lemon juice (about 1 1/2 lemons)
-2 garlic cloves, finely chopped (1 tsp)
-1 tsp salt
-1 tsp cumin
-1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

Process:
1. Place carrots and parsley in a large bowl.
2. For dressing, whisk lemon juice and other ingredients, except olive oil.
3. Keep whisking while slowly adding olive oil to emulsify.
4. Toss carrot mixture with dressing.
5. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour.
6. Enjoy!

* Salad can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for days.  I think the flavor was even better the next day!

Cheesy Crunchy Dog Sandwiches

These are great, so easy and just plain ole fun!  

 found the recipe from AllRecipes.

Ingredients:
-precooked brats, wieners or hot dogs
-american cheese slices, 1 for each sandwich
-sliced sandwich bread

Process:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Place one slice of cheese on each piece of bread.
3. Place wiener diagonally on the cheese.
4. Fold the bread corner to corner around the wiener  insert a toothpick to hold.
5. Repeat with all wieners.
6. Bake for 20-30 minutes, until golden.
7. Enjoy!

Creamy Coleslaw with Grapes & Walnuts

This is a great twist on your basic coleslaw; I found the recipe from the July/August 2011 Food Network Magazine.

Ingredients:

-1/4 to 1/2 cup toasted walnuts {place walnuts on pan and bake at 350 for 5-7 minutes to toast}

-1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

-1 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard

-1 1/2 tsp sugar

-1 tbsp olive oil

-1/3 cup sour cream

-1 1/2 tsp dried dill

-1 1/2 tsp dried tarragon

-1 1/2 tsp chopped fresh cilantro, optional

-1/2 to 1 tsp salt

-1/2 to 1 tsp pepper

-1/3 to 1/2 small head of cabbage, thinly sliced or shredded

-4 green onions, thinly sliced

-1 cup green grapes, halved

Process:

1. Make dressing:

Whisk together vinegar, mustard, sugar, salt and pepper.

2. Gradually whisk in olive oil and herbs.

3. Place cabbage, grapes and green onion in a large container.

4. Toss cabbage mixture with dressing.

5. Toss in walnuts, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 1 day in advance.
6. Enjoy!

Cinnamon Graham Cracker Crust

This is a really great and easy graham cracker crust recipe!  Enjoy!

I found this recipe from AllRecipes.

Ingredients:

-1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 1 bag of crackers from a box)

-1/3 cup sugar

-6 tbsp butter, melted

-1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Process:

1. Mix cracker crumbs, sugar, butter and cinnamon.

 2. Press mixture into an 8 or 9 inch pie plate.

3. Bake at 375 degrees for about 7 minutes.
4. Cool completely and use for your recipe.

* If your recipe calls for an unbaked pie shell, just chill for about 1 hour before using.

Raspberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake

Another snow day today; seems appropriate to post another great dessert recipe!  Enjoy!

This recipe is fantastic; I made it when we had friends over for brunch!  It was a big hit and the leftovers were great!

I found the recipe from AllRecipes.

Ingredients for Cake:
-2 1/4 cups flour
-3/4 cup sugar
-3/4 cup butter
-1/2 tsp baking powder
-1/2 tsp baking soda
-1/2 tsp salt
-3/4 cup sour cream
-1 egg
-1 1/2 tsp vanilla or almond extract

Ingredients for Filling:
-8 oz. cream cheese, softened
-1/2 cup sugar
-1 egg
-1/2 cup raspberry jam
-1/2 cup slivered almonds, optional

Process:
For batter:
1. In a large bowl combine flour and sugar.
2. Cut in butter using a pastry blender, forks or your fingers, until mixture is crumby.
3. Remove 1 cup and set aside.
4. To the remaining crumbs, add baking powder, baking soda and salt.
5. Add sour cream, egg and extract; mix well.
6. Spread mixture into the bottom and 2 inches up the sides of a greased 9 inch spring form pan.
For the filling:
7. Beat cream cheese, sugar and egg until well blended.
8. Pour over batter; spoon raspberry jam on top.
9. Sprinkle with almonds and reserved crumbs.
10. Bake at 350 degrees for 55-60 minutes.
11. Let stand 15 minutes.
12. Carefully run a knife around the edge of pan to loosen; remove sides of pan.
13. Move to serving platter and serve.

14. Enjoy, refrigerate leftovers.